Silicon Valley developer accused of murder after investigators say Tesla reached 142 mph before fatal crash

A Silicon Valley software developer and startup founder has been charged with murder after prosecutors say he drove his Tesla at more than 140 mph before plowing into stopped traffic on a California highway, triggering a fiery crash that killed a mother and her young daughter.

Zachary Chernicky, 31, has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder in connection with the Dec. 2, 2025, crash in San Jose, California.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office alleges data recovered during the investigation shows Chernicky was driving 142 mph 15 seconds before impact, 126 mph five seconds before impact and still moving at about 102 mph when his Tesla slammed into a Lexus stopped in traffic.

Authorities said Balistreri’s fiancé, who was driving the Lexus, survived the crash.

A publicly available professional profile identifies Chernicky as the founder of CHURRDJ, a San Jose startup developing software for Pioneer DJ equipment. The profile states he previously worked in technical support roles at Apple, Gong, Glean and AI company Mistral AI.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Apple, Gong, Glean and Mistral AI to verify Chernicky’s employment history and request comment, and to the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s office.

CHP also used the case to warn motorists about the dangers of excessive speed.

“Do not speed. Speeding costs lives,” the agency said. “CHP will hold reckless drivers accountable.”